Philanthropy and Business Integration

Chris Polk is a proven executive and emerging sector leader with nearly two decades of experience in fundraising, philanthropy, marketing and corporate engagement. As counsel, he has also raised over $215 million for various client project initiatives across the United States. His primary focus is working closely with entrepreneurs, impact investors, foundations, institutions of higher learning, independent schools, professional associations, arts & cultural organizations, progressive non profits and Fortune500 companies interested in strategic philanthropy, corporate partnership and community engagement.

Athletic departments at major colleges collected a record $1.26-billion in donations last year, more than double the total a decade ago, The Chronicle of Higher Education writes, citing the Council for Aid to Education’s annual review of college and university giving. Colleges said the richest boosters are driving the boom as athletic departments seek alternatives to shrinking government support to cover big capital projects and fast-rising coaches’ salaries.

Nearly 400 institutions provided information about sports giving in response to an optional question on the council’s latest survey, which showed overall college fundraising reaching new highs. The 20 biggest athletic departments accounted for more than half the 2014 take, with Texas A&M University leading the pack with $93.6-million. It was the third year in the past four that donations for college sports topped $1-billion.